Thaicom-8 is ready for launch
May 17, 2016
By Chris Forrester
Thai satellite operator Thaicom is in dispute with Thailand’s Information & Communications Ministry and the National Broadcasting & Telecommunications Commission over licensing fees for the in-orbit Thaicom-8 satellite, and the upcoming Thaicom-8 craft.
Thaicom, in essence, says the two satellites do not operate under the ministries concessions rules, and consequently should not pay a fee, or should pay a lower fee.
However, to minimise delays and potential legal problems Thaicom has decided to pay up and thus secure the orbital position and operate assigned frequencies. Thaicom will pay a yet to be determined fee retrospectively in regard to Thaicom-7, as well as the fee for Thaicom-8.
The satellite is due to launch towards the end of May, aboard a SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket from Cape Canaveral. It carries 24 transponders and operate over South Asia, Southeast Asia and Africa from 78.5 degrees East.